Visa U.S.A. has hired Rebecca Saeger executive vice president of advertising and marketing services, effective immediately.
Ms. Saeger, 42, succeeds Jan Soderstrom, who was named executive vice president of Visa International last September.
Michael A. Beindorff, executive vice president of marketing and product management at Visa U.S.A., had performed Ms. Soderstrom's duties while a successor was sought.
Ms. Saeger's responsibilities include promotions, sports and event partnerships, and creative services for Visa's domestic unit.
She is also responsible for developing consumer and business marketing programs to boost the organization's brand and products. She reports to Mr. Beindorff.
Ms. Saeger's "strategic direction and hands-on management will further strengthen Visa's integrated marketing efforts," said Mr. Beindorff in a release.
Ms. Saeger was most recently senior vice president, group management supervisor, and director of account management at the advertising agency Foote, Cone & Belding, San Francisco. In her six years there, she led campaigns for brands such as Pillsbury and Janus.
In addition, she spearheaded the effort to reposition Pacific Bell, with campaigns targeting the competitive telecommunications market. Before that, Ms. Saeger worked at Ogilvy & Mather in New York for more than 20 years, where she held a variety of posts, including senior vice president, group director for Lever Brothers and American Express.
Ms. Saeger received a bachelor's degree from Muhlenberg College in 1976 and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School in 1980.
